News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

By LeRae Haynes 

This weekend residents and visitors can look forward to the third annual Parade of Choirs, on Saturday, March 7 at 2pm at the Cariboo Bethel Church. The event is a fundraiser for the Hough Memorial Cancer Society, with admission by donation. 

The audience can look forward to performances by the Cariboo Children’s Choir, Cariboo Men’s Choir, the Cariboo Seniors Carollers, Eclectica and Quintet Plus. 

Cariboo Men’s Choir member Bill McDonald began organizing the popular Parade of Choirs three years ago as a fundraiser for Hough Memorial. “It all started with Dennis Tupman with the Eclectica Choir from 100 Mile House, who’s also involved with Elders College here,” Bill explained.  “We first got together with our two choirs for a sing-a-long, and then decided to do it for a reason. We had heard about the Hough Memorial and decided we wanted to help them raise money.” 

He said that they decided on Hough Memorial because it’s all local, and all the money raised stays here for cancer detection equipment at the Cariboo Memorial Hospital. “The Parade of Choirs was held in the United Church the first year, and there was standing room only,” Bill continued. “We then moved to the Bethel Church where there is more room.”  

“Hough Memorial originated in 1972 with Lillian Hough, whose husband died of cancer---she started this in his memory,” Vice President Jim Fraser explained. “His cancer had gone undetected, and she thought we needed better detection for this area.” 

Newly elected Williams Lake Mayor at the time, Jim said that Lillian and the small group of Hough supporters first met in City Chambers. “There was a doctor here from Vancouver who gave a speech to the group: he said that a group like this would never make a real difference.” 

Needless to say, according to Jim, Lillian was a very determined lady, the whole group got behind her and Hough Memorial began to grow. 

Hough Memorial has been raising money for cancer detection equipment since 1972. Jim said that their objective this year is to raise $72,000.00 for a digital Broncoscope and a Gastroscope. They purchased a Colposcope in 2008 and replaced the Colonoscopes with new digital technology. 

He said that it would be impossible to estimate how many thousands of patients have received procedures locally because of the equipment Hough Memorial has purchased, thanks to the generosity of the Service Clubs, Businesses and the public. 

 “Early detection is the key, and providing this equipment locally helps people avoid the stress and expense of travel when they need testing,” he explained. “A great amount of publicity and funding is directed to Cancer research but little or none to provide tools for early discovery, and that is the gap we endeavor to fill. 

“Like with most people, cancer has been a big thing in our family. My wife had cancer in the early 70s and made a full recovery, and we have lost four of her brothers,” he continued. “When your family’s hit, it matters. Every one has had it touch their lives in some way, and until they find a cure, your best bet is early discovery.” 

Williams Lake residents can look forward to yet another fun-filled fundraiser for Hough Memorial on May 8, when the popular Hospital Bed Race comes to town.  

For more information about Hough Memorial, phone President Bob McIntosh at 305-1041 or Vice President Jim Fraser at 392 4829.                      

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